We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelina Payetta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had the opportunity to step into a sub-lease for a yoga studio in Portland Oregon, prior to moving to Santa Clarita. This allowed me to get my feet wet in this realm. I knew this would not be the end, and always had the thought to open a yoga studio elsewhere. Santa Clarita became the place, and more specifically, far end Canyon Country. I saw that there had never been a yoga studio in far end Canyon Country. I wanted to offer an opportunity to share my gifts, while also allowing space for others to share theirs in a place that has never had this facet. I wanted to bring a new and similar but different studio to the yoga community in Santa Clarita. I wanted to create this cozy home for our community to gather just as they are. The idea of the yoga studio itself was to create an ambiance similar to a front room type setting, as this would be just as comfortable as each practitioner’s front room with friends and family. Along with the idea of being a yoga studio with a variety of classes and regular schedule, I wanted to make sure to offer many entities, so that all can connect in some way.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets us apart from other businesses is that we create an atmosphere that is family friendly and inviting. We also are open to many other entities to be taught and offered in our space. Yes, we are a yoga studio with a variety of yoga linages, but we also offer multiple entities to reach out to our community. I am most proud of the yoga teacher family that we have, as they share their beautiful selves and gifts. Along with our teachers, I am equally proud of the community that has built. All that have come through the door have been meant to be there. Our operation is cohesive and filled with love. I am excited for more growth and love to be shared.
The way I got the business to where it is today is a lot of planning, time, hard work, education, and life experiences. I saved my hard-earned working money for years before opening this studio. I planned and have put in a lot of time. I taught and worked 7 days a week at the studio, plus back-end work at home for the first 5 months. I have taught and worked 6 days a week at the studio for the last 6 months, but still sometimes 7. On top of this I have a teaching gig elsewhere 2 days a week and a bartending gig 2 nights a week to supplement. Alongside the work, I have maintained consistency and showed up for all the days that I have needed to. This includes showing up for the many no shows earlier on, showing up when no one else could cover a class, etc. I have utilized my college education and yoga specific education to fuel the studio offerings. I have been able to access my many life experiences to have love, sympathy, empathy, and depth to all that enter our yoga studio.
I would not say that starting up the business has been easy, but it has taken a lot of time. It can be challenging finding balance and time for myself and my family. However, as my heart is all in to be there for others and give the gift of yoga, it is all worth it. This is a job that requires a lot of giving, but I am also receiving.
I am still working on finding the balance for myself and my family. I have learned to use windows throughout my day to take a little time for me, and I try my best to set time aside for my family. I am fortunate that my partner is very patient and understanding. He sees what I am doing and honors it. He helps out how he can and takes on most of the work for his kiddo, my stepson. I feel my stepson thinks it is pretty cool that his stepmom owns her own business. He has told me how he tells his friends, and I hope I am showing a good example of what strong work ethic looks like. We also have some fur baby kitties. I can tell they miss me as I am not home as much, but I also try to give them extra love and attention when I am present.
Lessons I have learned…accept help if it is available, acknowledge that I am a human being and that I can’t do everything, say no when I am feeling stretched too thin, maintain healthy boundaries.
I would like the world to know that if you come from a space with heart, anything you do will shine. It has been almost surreal to see my business grow as it has come from my genuine heart space.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were to be visiting the city, I would definitely take them to some fellow yoga studios in town: Serenity Hot Yoga & Hot For Yoga. Maybe we could attend a special workshop. I would also take them to a sauna sweat session at Sweat Shack or Lineaedge. I would want to take them to a couple hikes in our area like the East Walker Ranch, Townsley Canyon, and Vasquez Rocks. Mentryville would also be a fun adventure to the old mining town, alongside some history.

Can’t forget about food and drinks! I would take my best friend to the bar I work at: Maginns! An authentic Irish Pub! All paraphernalia is from Ireland, and the owners are lovely caring people that want to share their cozy pub to build community as well. Best Old Fashioned in town, along with many other drinks….and I have been in restaurant work for almost 20 years.

We would go to a couple local coffee shops: Bhodi and Honu – my favorites in SCV.

If we stayed at a motel, I would take my best friend to Lexen. That is a pretty cool hotel in Newhall. Alongside Newhall, a night in Old Town Newhall would be fun. Lots of great restaurants, bars, and shops here.

Lastly, a trip to the Farmers Market would be on the to do list. Check out the fresh and local!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to the many yoga teachers, fellow yogis, and like-minded souls that I have crossed paths within my yoga journey. They have guided me toward my own healing: finding balance and acceptance, on and off the yoga mat. I have been able to share this, and so much more with others that are seeking.

A specific shout out to Purple Yoga in Orange Country/Long Beach, California where I took my 200-hour teacher training, and to Karma Yoga in Clackamas, Oregon where I took my 300-hour teacher training. Allison Duckworth was the lead trainer in my 300 hour, so a special shout out to her. There has also been many niche teacher trainings that have assisted. To name a few: Nourish & Restore with Janet Stone, Chanting 101 with Janet Stone, Yoga Nidra with Sam Bianchini.

Furthermore, a shout out to an amazing therapist by the name of Miranda that I saw for some time while living in Portland, Oregon. As I was putting in some work in my yoga practice, I also was putting in some time with talk therapy. This beautiful being, Miranda, helped me grow even deeper to fuel myself to being better and this has more fully allowed for me to transcend in my practice to share and lead others.

Website: www.myyogacanyoncountry.com

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myyogacanyoncountry/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/my-yoga-canyon-country-canyon-country?osq=my+yoga+canyon+country

Other: https://www.wellnessliving.com/yoga/canyoncountry/myyogacanyoncountry/review/?id_mode=12#rs-microsite-content

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